Starbucks to Sell Eggnog Latte in US After Protests

Starbucks Corp. plans to sell the eggnog latte nationwide in the US after customers protested its earlier decision to offer the drink only in the Pacific Northwest.

“We heard loud and clear from several customers that we disappointed them, so we are working quickly to bring back the eggnog latte nationally in time for the holidays,” Linda Mills, a spokeswoman for Seattle-based Starbucks, said in an e-mail. The chain also will sell gingerbread lattes in the Pacific Northwest, which it hadn’t planned to do.

Starbucks and other coffee sellers are introducing a raft of seasonally themed drinks in a bid to attract customers and boost sales. Dunkin’ Donuts earlier this week started selling snickerdoodle and sugar-cookie lattes. Next week, Starbucks is introducing a chestnut praline latte, its first new holiday beverage in the US and Canada in five years.

Dunkin’ Donuts, owned by Canton, Massachusetts-based Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc., also is selling new steak sandwiches and wraps, as well as a croissant-doughnut hybrid. The company has about 7,900 US locations, while Starbucks has 11,700.